The Upgrade
Insta360 X6
Choose if: you reframe a lot and want more detail to crop from, film in water without a case, or want 4K at 120 fps in 360 mode.
Sensors 1/1.1" x2
360 video 8K50
Bitrate 360 Mbps
No case 20 m
Insta360 X6 vs Insta360 X4
Two generations apart: the X5 (April 2025) sits between them. The X6 brings much larger sensors, higher frame rates, a higher bitrate and twice the waterproof depth. Here is what each of those changes means, and when an X4 is still enough.
Updated: October 2026
VS 
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to retailers on this page are affiliate links. We earn a commission on purchases made through them, at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change our verdicts.
Quick Verdict
Still Enough for Many
Insta360 X4
Choose if: 8K30 already covers what you share, you rarely go deeper than 10 m, and you would rather have the larger 2.5-inch touchscreen.
Sensors 1/2" x2
360 video 8K30
Bitrate 200 Mbps
No case 10 m
Spec by Spec
| Specification | Insta360 X6 | Insta360 X4 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Two 1/1.1" square | Two 1/2" |
| 360 video | 8K at up to 50 fps, 6K at up to 60, 4K at up to 120 | 8K30, 5.7K60 |
| Slow motion | 4K at 200 fps in 360 slow-motion mode | 4K100 / 1080p200 |
| Single-lens video | 5K at up to 60 fps, 4K at up to 120; widest 170° at 5K30 | 4K60 at 170° |
| Max bitrate | 360 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Stabilisation | FlowState, 360° Horizon Lock | FlowState, 360° Horizon Lock |
| Lens protection | Replaceable lenses; lens guards not for use in water | Removable lens guards |
| Waterproof, no case | 20 m | 10 m |
| Screen | 2.32" OLED | 2.5" touchscreen |
| Rated runtime | 8K30 about 140 min; 6K30 about 170 min | 135 min at 5.7K30 |
| Storage | 64 GB built in (47 GB usable) + microSD up to 1 TB | microSD up to 1 TB |
| Weight | 196 g | 203 g |
Sources: X6 figures from Insta360's spec sheet and online manual, checked 16 October 2026 (runtimes: 25 °C lab, screen off, Wi-Fi on).
Sensor and Reframing
The biggest change is the sensor. The X4 uses two 1/2-inch sensors; the X6 uses two square 1/1.1-inch sensors, which Insta360 says deliver an imaging area equivalent to a 1-inch 4:3 sensor in 360 capture. That is a much larger sensor type. Insta360 does not publish the X6 sensors' size in millimetres.
Resolution stays at 8K, but the frame rate goes from 30 to 50 fps, and 4K in 360 mode reaches 120 fps. Because a reframed clip only uses part of the sphere, more pixels per second and a higher bitrate (360 instead of 200 Mbps) both help when you crop a flat 16:9 shot out of the 360 file.
Winner: Insta360 X6, on every figure in this section.
Water, Lenses and Battery
- Water: the X6 is rated to 20 m without a case, the X4 to 10 m. The X6's manual adds that its lens guards are not sealed and should not be used in water, so in the sea it relies on its replaceable lenses instead.
- Lenses: the X4 has removable lens guards; the X6 has replaceable lenses, so a scratched front element can be swapped with Insta360's replacement lens kit.
- Battery: the X4 is listed at 135 minutes at 5.7K30. Insta360's manual gives the X6 about 140 minutes at 8K30 and about 170 at 6K30. The modes are not identical, but the X6 records a higher resolution for about as long.
- Storage: the X6 adds 64 GB built in, 47 GB of it usable, alongside a microSD slot.
Winner: Insta360 X6.
Where the X4 Holds Up
The X4 keeps the larger screen, 2.5 inches against the X6's 2.32-inch OLED, and the same FlowState stabilisation and 360 Horizon Lock. At 8K30 it already records the resolution that makes reframed clips usable, and its 10 m rating covers splashes and snorkelling. If those numbers match how you film, the X6's gains are real but not ones you will miss on every trip.
Winner: Insta360 X4 on screen size only.
Spec Summary
| Spec | Insta360 X6 | Insta360 X4 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/1.1" x2 | 1/2" |
| Video | 8K50 360° | 8K30 360° |
| AF Points | ||
| IBIS | FlowState | FlowState |
| Buy | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
Our Scores
Who Should Buy What?
Choose the Insta360 X6 if you...
- Reframe heavily and want the most detail to crop from
- Swim, surf or snorkel and want 20 m without a case
- Want 4K at 120 fps in 360 mode or 5K in single-lens mode
- Grade footage and want 10-bit I-Log at up to 360 Mbps
Choose the Insta360 X4 if you...
- Are happy with what 8K30 reframes give you today
- Rarely go deeper than 10 m
- Prefer the larger 2.5-inch touchscreen
- Already own X4 accessories and see no gap in your footage
FAQ
If you reframe heavily, film in dim light where a larger sensor tends to help, or want to go in the water without a case, the X6's larger sensors, 8K50, 360 Mbps and 20 m rating are a real step. If 8K30 and 10 m already cover how you film, there is no urgent reason to switch.
Anything on a standard 1/4-inch thread does, since the X6 has one. For the magnetic mount, Insta360 names X5, X4 Air and Ace series mounts as compatible; it does not list the X4 there.
No. Insta360's X6 manual says both lens guards are not sealed and should not be used for surfing, swimming or in rain, because the lenses can fog up inside. The 20 m rating applies to the camera without them.
The X5 came out in April 2025, between these two, and is not compared here.
Bottom Line
For most people buying today: the Insta360 X6. On the published specs it is ahead on sensor, frame rate, bitrate and water depth, and it records 8K30 for about as long as the X4 records 5.7K30.
For X4 owners: upgrade if dim light, heavy reframing or water is where your X4 falls short. Otherwise the Insta360 X4 still does the job it was bought for.
